The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table Atlantic Writer Helen Lewis on The Riyadh Comedy Festival and Hero Worship
Nov 14, 2025
Helen Lewis, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author, shares her thoughts on attending the Riyadh Comedy Festival and its impact on perceptions of comedy in repressive regimes. She explores the complexities of hero worship in her book, The Genius Myth, discussing how admiration can excuse bad behavior in artists. Joining her, Sheba Mason promotes The Jackie Mason Musical, reflecting on her father's legacy and family memories, while the duo discusses the evolving landscape of stand-up comedy and the influence of social media on performers.
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Riyadh Festival Opener
- Helen Lewis attended the Riyadh comedy festival and watched Jimmy Carr and Louis C.K. perform in person.
- A Saudi comedian opened in English and began by praising Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which struck Lewis as surreal compared to Western clubs.
Free Speech Claims Versus Choices
- Comedians who campaign about free speech face backlash when they accept restricted gigs in repressive states.
- Lewis links this to a perceived hypocrisy from comics who've positioned themselves against 'cancel culture' yet performed for Saudi Arabia.
Commercial Constraints On Comedy
- Commercial realities often constrain comedians' freedom more than idealized free-speech claims.
- Lewis argues corporate or paid events usually come with content restrictions, similar to Saudi festival contracts.
